Walkability and socio-economic status in relation to walking, playing and sports practice in a representative Spanish sample of youth: The PASOS study.

PURPOSE: Physical activity (PA) provides multiple health-related benefits in children and adolescents, however, at present, the majority of young people are insufficiently physically active. The aim of this study was to evaluate if neighborhood walkability and/or socio-economic status (SES) could affect the practice of walking, play outdoors and sports practice in a representative sample of Spanish children and adolescents. METHODS: A sample of 4092 youth (aged 8-16 years old) from 245 primary and secondary schools in 121 localities from each of the 17 Spanish autonomous communities participated in the study. Walk Score was used to evaluate walkability of the neighborhood and household income was used as an indicator of SES. A 7-item self-reported validated questionnaire, was used to assess PA levels, and in a subsample of 10% of the participants, randomly selected from the entire sample, PA was objectively measured by accelerometers. RESULTS: Youth from more walkable areas reported more minutes walking per day compared with those from less walkable neighborhoods (51.4 vs 48.8 minutes, respectively). The lowest average minutes spent in playing outdoors was found among participants from low-SES and low-walkable neighborhoods. Neighborhood SES influenced on the participation in team sports during the weekend, being this participation higher in high SES neighborhoods. CONCLUSION: Providing high walkable environments seems a good strategy to promote PA regardless SES levels. It seems that improving the walkability is a key component to partially overcome the SES inequalities, especially in urban areas with low SES. High-SES environments can offer better sports facilities and more organized physical activities than low-SES ones.

Blood DNA methylation signature of diet quality and association with cardiometabolic traits.

AIMS: Diet quality might influence cardiometabolic health through epigenetic changes, but this has been little investigated in adults. Our aims were to identify cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) dinucleotides associated with diet quality by conducting an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) based on blood DNA methylation (DNAm) and to assess how diet-related CpGs associate with inherited susceptibility to cardiometabolic traits: body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), triglycerides, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Meta-EWAS including 5274 participants in four cohorts from Spain, the USA, and the UK. We derived three dietary scores (exposures) to measure adherence to a Mediterranean diet, to a healthy plant-based diet, and to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Blood DNAm (outcome) was assessed with the Infinium arrays Human Methylation 450K BeadChip and MethylationEPIC BeadChip. For each diet score, we performed linear EWAS adjusted for age, sex, blood cells, smoking and technical variables, and BMI in a second set of models. We also conducted Mendelian randomization analyses to assess the potential causal relationship between diet-related CpGs and cardiometabolic traits. We found 18 differentially methylated CpGs associated with dietary scores (P < 1.08 × 10-7; Bonferroni correction), of which 12 were previously associated with cardiometabolic traits. Enrichment analysis revealed overrepresentation of diet-associated genes in pathways involved in inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Mendelian randomization analyses suggested that genetically determined methylation levels corresponding to lower diet quality at cg02079413 (SNORA54), cg02107842 (MAST4), and cg23761815 (SLC29A3) were causally associated with higher BMI and at cg05399785 (WDR8) with greater SBP, and methylation levels associated with higher diet quality at cg00711496 (PRMT1) with lower BMI, T2D risk, and CHD risk and at cg0557921 (AHRR) with lower CHD risk. CONCLUSION: Diet quality in adults was related to differential methylation in blood at 18 CpGs, some of which related to cardiometabolic health.

We conducted a study to investigate the connection between diet quality, epigenetic changes, and cardiovascular health in adults. The study included 5274 participants from Spain, the USA, and the UK, combining data from four different cohorts. We assessed adherence to different healthy diets: Mediterranean style diet, plant-based diet, and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet. We used advanced technology to analyse blood DNA methylation, which refers to chemical modifications in the DNA that can affect gene activity.We discovered 18 CpGs that showed differential methylation patterns related to the dietary scores. Importantly, 12 of these CpGs had previously been associated with cardiovascular disease or risk factors, suggesting a potential link between diet, epigenetic changes, and heart health. Some of the diet-related CpGs mapped to genes involved in pathways associated with cardiovascular disease. Moreover, using a method called Mendelian randomization, we found that several CpGs may have a causal association with body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Consumption of aspartame and other artificial sweeteners and risk of cancer in the Spanish multicase-control study (MCC-Spain).

Use of artificial sweeteners (AS) such as aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin and sucralose is widespread. We evaluated the association of use of aspartame and other AS with cancer. In total 1881 colorectal, 1510 breast, 972 prostate and 351 stomach cancer and 109 chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cases and 3629 population controls from the Spanish Multicase-Control (MCC-Spain) study were recruited (2008-2013). The consumption of AS, from table-top sweeteners and artificially sweetened beverages, was assessed through a self-administered and validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Sex-specific quartiles among controls were determined to compare moderate consumers (

Time trends in infectious and chronic disease consultations in Dakar, Senegal: Impact of COVID-19 sanitary measures.

Background: The impact of COVID-19 sanitary measures on the time trends in infectious and chronic disease consultations in Sub-Saharan Africa remains unknown. Methods: We conducted a cohort study on all emergency medical consultations from January 2016 to July 2020, from SOS Medecins in Dakar, Senegal. The consultation records provided basic demographic information such as age, ethnicity (Senegalese or Caucasian), and sex as well as the principal diagnosis using an ICD-10 classification ("infectious", "chronic", and "other"). We first investigated how the pattern in emergency consultation differed from March to July 2020 compared to previous years. Then, we examined any potential racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 consultation. Results: We obtained data on emergency medical consultations from 53 583 patients of all ethnic origins. The mean age of patients was 37.0 (standard deviation (SD) = 25.2) and 30.3 (SD = 21.7) in 2016-2019 and 45.5 (SD = 24.7) and 39.5 (SD = 23.3) in 2020 for Senegalese and Caucasian patients, respectively. The type of consultations between January and July were similar from 2016 to 2019; however, in 2020, there was a drop in the number of infectious disease consultations, particularly from April to May 2020, when sanitary measures for COVID-19 were applied (average of 366.5 and 358.2 in 2016-1019 and 133.0 and 125.0 in 2020). The prevalence of chronic conditions remained steady during the same period (average of 381.0 and 394.7 in 2016-2019 and 373.0 and 367.0 in 2020). In a multivariate analysis adjusted for age and sex, infectious disease consultations were significantly more likely to occur in 2016-2019 compared to 2020 (2016 odds ratio (OR) = 2.39, 2017 OR = 2.74, 2018 OR = 2.39, 2019 OR = 2.01). Furthermore, the trend in the number of infectious and chronic consultations was similar among Senegalese and Caucasian groups, indicating no disparities among those seeking treatment. Conclusions: During the implementation of COVID-19 sanitary measures, infectious disease rates dropped as chronic disease rates remained stagnant in Dakar. We observed no racial/ethnic disparities among the infectious and chronic consultations.

Mediterranean Diet, Energy Restriction, Physical Activity, and Atherogenicity of Very-Low Density Lipoproteins: Findings from Two Randomized Controlled Trials.

SCOPE: Some very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) properties may render them more pro-atherogenic. We aimed to assess whether a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) or an energy-reduced MedDiet with increased physical activity improves them. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a sample of the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) study, a 1-year intervention with MedDiet with extra-virgin olive oil (n = 89) or nuts (MedDiet-Nuts; n = 79) is compared with a low-fat diet (n = 90). In the PREDIMED-Plus study, a 1-year intervention with energy-reduced MedDiet and physical activity (n = 103) is compared with an ad libitum MedDiet (n = 101). VLDL levels of apolipoprotein C-I, C-III, triglycerides, and cholesterol; the apolipoprotein E-/C-I ratio; and VLDL ex-vivo triglyceride transfer are measured. In PREDIMED participants in both MedDiet groups combined, VLDL apolipoprotein C-III levels are nominally reduced (-0.023 SD units, 95% CI -0.44 to -0.014, p = 0.037). VLDL triglyceride transfer is nominally increased in the MedDiet-Nuts group (+0.39 SD units, 95% CI 0.012-0.78, p = 0.045). In PREDIMED-Plus, no inter-group differences are detected. CONCLUSIONS: In older adults at high cardiovascular risk, MedDiet is associated with lower VLDL atherogenicity versus a low-fat diet. No differences are seen after an energy-reduced MedDiet with physical activity.

Association of physical activity with high-density lipoprotein functionality in a population-based cohort: the REGICOR study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the dose-response association between current and past leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), total and at different intensities, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality parameters. METHODS: Study participants (n=642) were randomly drawn from a large population-based survey. Mean age of the participants was 63.2 years and 51.1% were women. The analysis included data from a baseline and a follow-up visit (median follow-up, 4 years). LTPA was assessed using validated questionnaires at both visits. Two main HDL functions were assessed: cholesterol efflux capacity and HDL antioxidant capacity, at the follow-up visit. Linear regression and linear additive models were used to assess the linear and nonlinear association between LTPA and HDL functionality. RESULTS: Total LTPA at follow-up showed an inverse and linear relationship between 0 and 400 METs x min/d with HDL antioxidant capacity (regression coefficient [beta]: -0.022; 95%CI, -0.030, -0.013), with a plateau above this threshold. The results were similar for moderate (beta: -0.028; 95%CI, -0.049, -0.007) and vigorous (beta: -0.025; 95%CI, -0.043, -0.007), but not for light-intensity LTPA. LTPA at follow-up was not associated with cholesterol efflux capacity. Baseline LTPA was not associated with any of the HDL functionality parameters analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Current moderate and vigorous LTPA showed a nonlinear association with higher HDL antioxidant capacity. Maximal benefit was observed with low-intermediate doses of total LTPA (up to 400 METs x min/d). Our results agree with current recommendations for moderate-vigorous LTPA practice and suggest an association between PA and HDL functionality in the general population.

Overweight, obesity, and individual symptoms of depression: A multicohort study with replication in UK Biobank.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is associated with increased risk of depression, but the extent to which this association is symptom-specific is unknown. We examined the associations of overweight and obesity with individual depressive symptoms. METHODS: We pooled data from 15 population-based cohorts comprising 57,532 individuals aged 18 to 100 years at study entry. Primary analyses were replicated in an independent cohort, the UK Biobank study (n = 122,341, age range 38 to 72). Height and weight were assessed at baseline and body mass index (BMI) was computed. Using validated self-report measures, 24 depressive symptoms were ascertained once in 16 cross-sectional, and twice in 7 prospective cohort studies (mean follow-up 3.2 years). RESULTS: In the pooled analysis of the primary cohorts, 22,045 (38.3 %) participants were overweight (BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2), 12,025 (20.9 %) class I obese (BMI between 30 and 34.9 kg/m2), 7,467 (13.0 %) class II-III obese (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2); and 7,046 (12.3 %) were classified as depressed. After multivariable adjustment, obesity class I was cross-sectionally associated with 1.11-fold (95 % confidence interval 1.01-1.22), and obesity class II-III with 1.31-fold (1.16-1.49) higher odds of overall depression. In symptom-specific analyses, robust associations were apparent for 4 of the 24 depressive symptoms ('could not get going/lack of energy', 'little interest in doing things', 'feeling bad about yourself, and 'feeling depressed'), with confounder-adjusted odds ratios of having 3 or 4 of these symptoms being 1.32 (1.10-1.57) for individuals with obesity class I, and 1.70 (1.34-2.14) for those with obesity class II-III. Elevated C-reactive protein and 21 obesity-related diseases explained 23 %-31 % of these associations. Symptom-specific associations were confirmed in longitudinal analyses where obesity preceded symptom onset, were stronger in women compared with men, and were replicated in UK Biobank. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with a distinct set of depressive symptoms. These associations are partially explained by systemic inflammation and obesity-related morbidity. Awareness of this obesity-related symptom profile and its underlying biological correlates may inform better targeted treatments for comorbid obesity and depression.

Dietary diversity and depression: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses in Spanish adult population with metabolic syndrome. Findings from PREDIMED-Plus trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal (2-year follow-up) associations between dietary diversity (DD) and depressive symptoms. DESIGN: An energy-adjusted dietary diversity score (DDS) was assessed using a validated FFQ and was categorised into quartiles (Q). The variety in each food group was classified into four categories of diversity (C). Depressive symptoms were assessed with Beck Depression Inventory-II (Beck II) questionnaire and depression cases defined as physician-diagnosed or Beck II >= 18. Linear and logistic regression models were used. SETTING: Spanish older adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 6625 adults aged 55-75 years from the PREDIMED-Plus study with overweight or obesity and MetS. RESULTS: Total DDS was inversely and statistically significantly associated with depression in the cross-sectional analysis conducted; OR Q4 v. Q1 = 0·76 (95 % CI (0·64, 0·90)). This was driven by high diversity compared to low diversity (C3 v. C1) of vegetables (OR = 0·75, 95 % CI (0·57, 0·93)), cereals (OR = 0·72 (95 % CI (0·56, 0·94)) and proteins (OR = 0·27, 95 % CI (0·11, 0·62)). In the longitudinal analysis, there was no significant association between the baseline DDS and changes in depressive symptoms after 2 years of follow-up, except for DD in vegetables C4 v. C1 = (ß = 0·70, 95 % CI (0·05, 1·35)). CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, DD is inversely associated with depressive symptoms, but eating more diverse does not seem to reduce the risk of future depression. Additional longitudinal studies (with longer follow-up) are needed to confirm these findings.

Use of traditional medicine and control of hypertension in 12 African countries.

BACKGROUND: Use of traditional medicine (TM) is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa as a treatment option for a wide range of disease. We aimed to describe main characteristics of TM users and estimate the association of TM use with control of hypertension. METHODS: We used data on 2128 hypertensive patients of a cross-sectional study (convenience sampling), who attended cardiology departments of 12 sub-Saharan African countries (Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, Togo). To model association of TM use with odds of uncontrolled, severe and complicated hypertension, we used multivariable mixed logistic regressions, and to model the association with blood pressure (systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP)) we used mixed linear models. All models were adjusted for age, sex, wealth, adherence to hypertension conventional treatment and country (random effect). RESULTS: A total of 512 (24%) participants reported using TM, varying across countries from 10% in the Congo to 48% in Guinea. TM users were more likely to be men, living in rural area, poorly adhere to prescribed medication (frequently due to its cost). Use of TM was associated with a 3.87 (95% CI 1.52 to 6.22)/1.75 (0.34 to 3.16) mm Hg higher SBP/DBP compared with no use; and with greater odds of severe hypertension (OR=1.34; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.74) and of any hypertension complication (OR=1.27; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.60), mainly driven by renal complication (OR=1.57; 95% CI 1.07 to 2.29) after adjustment for measured confounders. CONCLUSIONS: The use of TM was associated with higher blood pressure, more severe hypertension and more complications in Sub-Saharan African countries. The widespread use of TM needs to be acknowledged and worked out to integrate TM safely within the conventional healthcare.

Gender gap in annual preventive care services in France.

Background: In France, screening for cardiovascular risk factors is recommended during annual preventive visits. However, data are lacking on the temporal trend in women's uptake to preventive care services, and in cardiovascular and mortality outcomes. The aim of the study was to investigate the participation and mortality of women in annual preventive care services in a major preventive medicine center in France. Method: Ee conducted repeated cross-sectional studies including a total of 366,270 individuals who had a first examination at the Centre d'Investigations Préventives et Cliniques, France, between January 1992 and December 2011. Findings: Women's participation was low below 50 years of age, then increases from 50 to 70 years, and is lower for women older than 70 years. The gap in female participation was more pronounced among individuals with high education, low social deprivation, and no depressive symptoms. Compared with the general population, the screened population had significantly lower standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) among both men and women, for all age ranges. Screened women aged 18-49 years showed a lower mortality gain compared with men of the same age; SMRs did not differ significantly by sex for individuals over 50 years. Interpretation: In this community-based sample, compared with men, women's participation to annual preventive care services was lower, and screened women had a lower mortality gain. Despite the demonstrated benefit of annual check-ups on health, there is a gender gap in adherence to preventive programs and in efficiency of screening programs, especially in the young age range. This gap in cardiovascular disease prevention may result in poorer cardiovascular health in women. Urgent adaptations to overcome this gender gap in preventive screening in France are warranted. Funding: Bamba Gaye is supported by the Fondation Recherche Médicale grant.

Physical activity attenuates but does not eliminate coronary heart disease risk amongst adults with risk factors: EPIC-CVD case-cohort study.

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the association between physical activity and the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in individuals with and without CHD risk factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: EPIC-CVD is a case-cohort study of 29 333 participants that included 13 582 incident CHD cases and a randomly selected sub-cohort nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. Self-reported physical activity was summarized using the Cambridge physical activity index (inactive, moderately inactive, moderately active, and active). Participants were categorized into sub-groups based on the presence or the absence of the following risk factors: obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2), hypercholesterolaemia (total cholesterol ≥6.2 mmol/L), history of diabetes, hypertension (self-reported or ≥140/90 mmHg), and current smoking. Prentice-weighted Cox regression was used to assess the association between physical activity and incident CHD events (non-fatal and fatal).Compared to inactive participants without the respective CHD risk factor (referent), excess CHD risk was highest in physically inactive and lowest in moderately active participants with CHD risk factors. Corresponding excess CHD risk estimates amongst those with obesity were 47% [95% confidence interval (CI) 32-64%] and 21% (95%CI 2-44%), with hypercholesterolaemia were 80% (95%CI 55-108%) and 48% (95%CI 22-81%), with hypertension were 80% (95%CI 65-96%) and 49% (95%CI 28-74%), with diabetes were 142% (95%CI 63-260%), and 100% (95%CI 32-204%), and amongst smokers were 152% (95%CI 122-186%) and 109% (95%CI 74-150%). CONCLUSIONS: In people with CHD risk factors, moderate physical activity, equivalent to 40 mins of walking per day, attenuates but does not completely offset CHD risk.

Contribution of cardio-vascular risk factors to depressive status in the PREDIMED-PLUS Trial. A cross-sectional and a 2-year longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Cardio-vascular disease and depression are thought to be closely related, due to shared risk factors. The aim of the study was to determine the association between cardio-vascular risk (CVR) factors and depressive status in a population (55-75 years) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) from the PREDIMED-Plus trial. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Participants were classified into three groups of CVR according to the Framingham-based REGICOR function: (1) low (LR), (2) medium (MR) or (3) high/very high (HR). The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was used to assess depressive symptoms at baseline and after 2 years. The association between CVR and depressive status at baseline (n = 6545), and their changes after 2 years (n = 4566) were evaluated through multivariable regression models (logistic and linear models). HR women showed higher odds of depressive status than LR [OR (95% CI) = 1.78 (1.26, 2.50)]. MR and HR participants with total cholesterol <160 mg/mL showed higher odds of depression than LR [OR (95% CI) = 1.77 (1.13, 2.77) and 2.83 (1.25, 6.42) respectively)] but those with total cholesterol ≥280 mg/mL showed lower odds of depression than LR [OR (95% CI) = 0.26 (0.07, 0.98) and 0.23 (0.05, 0.95), respectively]. All participants decreased their BDI-II score after 2 years, being the decrease smaller in MR and HR diabetic compared to LR [adjusted mean±SE = -0.52±0.20, -0.41±0.27 and -1.25±0.31 respectively). MR and HR participants with total cholesterol between 240-279 mg/mL showed greater decreases in the BDI-II score compared to LR (adjusted mean±SE = -0.83±0.37, -0.77±0.64 and 0.97±0.52 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Improving cardiovascular health could prevent the onset of depression in the elderly. Diabetes and total cholesterol in individuals at high CVR, may play a specific role in the precise response. International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial (ISRCTN89898870).

One-year changes in fruit and vegetable variety intake and cardiometabolic risk factors changes in a middle-aged Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous studies have shown beneficial associations between fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors. However, variety in FV, which may play an important role on cardiovascular health due to the different nutrient and phytochemical content among the different groups and subgroups of FV has been poorly investigated. We longitudinally investigated associations between 1-year changes in variety and quantity of FV and concurrent changes in cardiometabolic risk factors in elderly subjects with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome. METHODS: a one-year data longitudinal analysis of 6647 PREDIMED-plus study participants (48% women) was conducted. Data were collected at baseline, six months and 1-year of follow-up. Variety and quantity of FV were estimated using a food frequency questionnaire and continuous scores for variety were created based on items/month of FV. Linear mixed-models adjusted for potential confounders were performed to estimate associations (ß-coefficients and 95% confidence interval) between 1-year changes in FV variety and/or quantity and concurrent changes in cardiometabolic risk factors. RESULTS: Two points increment in the FV variety score over one year was associated with a concurrent decrease in glucose (-0.33 mg/dL (0.58, -0.07)), body weight (-0.07 kg (-0.13, -0.02)) and waist circumference (WC) (-0.08 cm (-0.16, -10.01)). An increment of 100 g/d of FV over one year was associated with a concurrent decrease in triglycerides (-0.50 mg/dL (-0.93, -0.08)), glucose (-0.21 mg/dL (-0.32, -0.11)), body weight (-0.11 kg (-0.15, -0.07)) and WC (-0.10 cm (-0.14, -0.06)) over 1-year. Changes in FV consumption which led to higher quantity and variety over one year were associated with downward changes in glucose (-1.26 mg/dL (-2.09, -0.43)), body weight (-0.40 kg (-0.58, -0.23)) and WC (-0.50 cm (-0.73, -0.28)). CONCLUSION: Greater variety, in combination with higher quantity of FV was significantly associated with a decrease in several cardiometabolic risk factors among elderly subjects at high cardiovascular risk.

Determinants of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Spanish Children and Adolescents: The PASOS Study.

A progressive shift away from traditional healthy dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), has been observed in recent decades. The aim of this study was to assess determinants of optimal adherence to the MedDiet in Spanish children and adolescents. A cross-sectional analysis was included in the PASOS nationwide representative study in Spain. Participants were 3607 children and adolescents; 8-16 years old. Primary and secondary outcome measures of weight and height were measured. Adherence to the MedDiet, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in children and adolescents, as well as parental physical activity and dietary habits, were assessed. Optimal adherence to the MedDiet was observed in 45.5% of primary school students and 34.8% of secondary school students (OR: 0.65; 95%CI: 0.56-0.75). Optimal adherence to the MedDiet was higher in children/adolescents meeting daily recommended moderate and vigorous physical activity (OR: 2.39, 95%CI: 1.97-2.89) and in those meeting daily recommended screen time on weekdays (OR: 2.05, 95%CI: 1.77-2.38) and weekends (OR: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.48-2.10). Participants with optimal adherence to the MedDiet were more likely to have mothers with a high-level education and high-tercile of SDQS, mothers who never smoked or were former smokers, and mothers who met the recommended physical activity and screen time. It can be concluded that a low prevalence of optimal adherence to the MedDiet was found among current Spanish children and adolescents. Optimal adherence to the MedDiet was associated with reaching the recommendations on physical activity and screen time, with the highest maternal educational level, and healthier maternal lifestyles.

Sociodemographic determinants of change in cardiovascular health in middle adulthood in a bi-racial cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiovascular health (CVH), as many other aspects of health, is socially patterned. However, little is known about the socioeconomic determinants of following a more or less favourable pattern of CVH change at midlife. METHODS: We used data on 11,049 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, a prospective, population-based, bi-racial cohort that included participants aged 44-66 years in 1987-1989, who attended a second visit 6 years later. At both visits, CVH was assessed with the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) score ranging 0-14, based on 7 metrics: cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, and diet. An LS7 score ≥8 was considered ideal, <8 was considered poor. Multivariable logistic regression models were used. In a first sample (N = 4416) of participants who started with a poor CVH, we modelled odds of improvement (Poor-Ideal vs. Poor-Poor). In a second sample (N = 6633) with baseline ideal CVH, we modelled odds of deterioration (Ideal-Poor vs. Ideal-Ideal). The determinants considered were baseline age, sex, race, educational level, income and working status. RESULTS: The majority (8,347, 75.5%) of participants remained in the same CVH category at both waves: 28.7% poor-poor, and 46.8% ideal-ideal. The remaining 24.5% were evenly split between improving (11.2%) and deteriorating (13.2%). Compared to poor-poor CVH, older participants displayed higher odds of improving to ideal CVH (OR>58yvs < 50y = 1.41; 95% CI:1.17, 1.69), whereas Black race (vs White, OR = 0.68; 0.57, 0.80), low education (vs high, OR = 0.65; 0.53, 0.79) and low income (vs high, OR = 0.71; 0.57, 0.87)) were associated with lower odds of improvement. Compared to ideal-ideal CVH, Black participants (OR = 1.59; 1.33, 1.89), with low education (OR = 1.98; 1.64, 2.39), low income (OR = 1.57; 1.30, 1.88), and non-working (vs currently working, OR = 1.27; 1.06, 1.51) had greater odds of deterioration to poor CVH. CONCLUSIONS: We identified vulnerable groups at higher risk of worsening their CVH over time: Black people, with low income, low education, and who are unemployed. Efforts to reduce income and educational gaps and address structural racism, which shapes the distribution of health-promoting and health-harming resources, are paramount to reduce inequities in CVH.

Combined Body Mass Index and Waist-to-Height Ratio and Its Association with Lifestyle and Health Factors among Spanish Children: The PASOS Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The World Health Organization recommended simultaneous measurement of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and suggested joint use to predict disease risks. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of BMI and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) categories among Spanish children and adolescents, as well as their associations with several lifestyle factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of 8-16-year-old children and adolescents (n = 3772) were included in the PASOS nationwide representative study. Children/adolescents and their mothers/female caregivers answered a questionnaire on lifestyle and health factors. Child/adolescent anthropometrics were measured. Four combined BMI-WHtR disease risk categories were built. RESULTS: A third of participants showed combined BMI-WHtR categories with high disease risk (12.3% 'increased risk', 9.7% 'high risk', 14.3% 'very high risk'). Participants in the 'very high risk' group were less likely to be females (odds ratio 0.63; 95% CI: 0.52-0.76) and adolescents (0.60; 95% CI: 0.49-0.72), to practice ≥60 min/day of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (0.73; 95% CI: 0.57-0.93), and to watch <120 min/day of total screen time on weekdays (0.61; 95% CI: 0.49-0.76). Mothers of participants in the 'very high risk' group were less likely to have a high educational level, be in the overweight or normal range, have never smoked or were former smokers, and watch <120 min/day of total screen time on weekends. Participants in the 'increased' and 'high risk' categories had mothers with normal weight and ≥60 min/day of MVPA. Participants in the 'high risk' group did not achieve ≥60 min/day of MVPA and showed lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to a healthy lifestyle in children and adolescents, but also in their mothers/female caregivers during offspring's childhood and adolescence, is associated with low BMI-WHtR disease risk.

Association between the Prime Diet Quality Score and depressive symptoms in a Mediterranean population with metabolic syndrome. Cross-sectional and 2-year follow-up assessment from PREDIMED-PLUS study.

The burden of depression is increasing worldwide, specifically in older adults. Unhealthy dietary patterns may partly explain this phenomenon. In the Spanish PREDIMED-Plus study, we explored (1) the cross-sectional association between the adherence to the Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS), an a priori-defined high-quality food pattern, and the prevalence of depressive symptoms at baseline (cross-sectional analysis) and (2) the prospective association of baseline PDQS with changes in depressive symptomatology after 2 years of follow-up. After exclusions, we assessed 6612 participants in the cross-sectional analysis and 5523 participants in the prospective analysis. An energy-adjusted high-quality dietary score (PDQS) was assessed using a validated FFQ. The cross-sectional association between PDQS and the prevalence of depression or presence of depressive symptoms and the prospective changes in depressive symptoms were evaluated through multivariable regression models (logistic and linear models and mixed linear-effects models). PDQS was inversely associated with depressive status in the cross-sectional analysis. Participants in the highest quintile of PDQS (Q5) showed a significantly reduced odds of depression prevalence as compared to participants in the lowest quartile of PDQS (Q1) (OR (95 %) CI = 0·82 (0·68, 0·98))). The baseline prevalence of depression decreased across PDQS quintiles (Pfor trend = 0·015). A statistically significant association between PDQS and changes in depressive symptoms after 2-years follow-up was found (ß (95 %) CI = -0·67 z-score (-1·17, -0·18). A higher PDQS was cross-sectionally related to a lower depressive status. Nevertheless, the null finding in our prospective analysis raises the possibility of reverse causality. Further prospective investigation is required to ascertain the association between PDQS and changes in depressive symptoms along time.

Explaining Ethnic Differentials in COVID-19 Mortality: A Cohort Study.

Ethnic inequalities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalizations and mortality have been widely reported, but there is scant understanding of how they are embodied. The UK Biobank prospective cohort study comprises approximately half a million people who were aged 40-69 years at study induction, between 2006 and 2010, when information on ethnic background and potential explanatory factors was captured. Study members were prospectively linked to a national mortality registry. In an analytical sample of 448,664 individuals (248,820 women), 705 deaths were ascribed to COVID-19 between March 5, 2020, and January 24, 2021. In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, relative to White participants, Black study members experienced approximately 5 times the risk of COVID-19 mortality (odds ratio (OR) = 4.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.28, 7.05), while there was a doubling in the South Asian group (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.30, 3.25). Controlling for baseline comorbidities, social factors (including socioeconomic circumstances), and lifestyle indices attenuated this risk differential by 34% in Black study members (OR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.91, 4.23) and 37% in South Asian individuals (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 0.97, 2.55). The residual risk of COVID-19 deaths in ethnic minority groups may be ascribed to a range of unmeasured characteristics and requires further exploration.

Mediterranean diet and adiposity in children and adolescents: A systematic review.

Our aim was to summarize, through a systematic review, the current evidence from dietary intervention and observational studies on the impact of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on adiposity markers and obesity in children and adolescents. We searched Medline up to June 1, 2021 for the identification of intervention and observational studies meeting the inclusion criteria, following the PRISMA statement. We included 55 articles: 8 intervention studies and 47 observational studies. Three trials report a beneficial effect of the dietary intervention, whereas two did not, and three did not compare with a control. All observational studies were cross-sectional, and only five studies also included a longitudinal analysis. More than half of the cross-sectional studies found no significant association between adherence to Mediterranean diet and adiposity. Three out of the five longitudinal studies found a negative association. The majority of both observational and intervention studies was of low quality. Despite a large number of published studies, overall, there is only limited evidence of a beneficial effect of following a traditional Mediterranean diet to maintain a healthy body weight in childhood. More high-quality intervention and longitudinal data are needed to form the base of large-scale health programs to prevent childhood obesity.